New England Randonneurs

On Sept 30th the famous VT Fall Classic took place and 30 cyclists finished what turned out to be a very wet (but gorgeous) 200k/114k out of Burlington VT. Here is a link to a gallery of photos from the ride. Thanks to everyone who came out and a huge thanks for Mike for running such a great season from NER’s Northern outpost.

While our 2012 season is now complete we’re already hard at work planning for 2013. The first event will be the Boston 100k on April 20th 2013. The list of NER ACP events is finalized but we’re still adding RUSA events. Thanks to the volunteers who have offered to help we again will have a full SR series out of the Boston and Northern VT regions.

Below is a list of the planned 2013 events and organizers:

April 20th – MA 100k (Melinda Lyon)
May 4th – MA 200k (Steve Wimberg)
May 11th – VT 200k (Hank / Steve)
May 18th – NER Fleche (Jake Kassen)
June 1st – MA 300k (Jake Kassen)
June 8th – VT 200k/200k (Dave / John)
June 22nd – MA 400k (John Moriarty/Bruce Ingle)
June 29th – VT 400k (Greg and Clifton)
July 20th – MA 600k (Matt Coe/John Doyle)
August 3rd – VT 600k (Anthony Mennona)
Sept 29th – VT 114/200k (Mike Beganyi)

Note: Italicized events have been submitted to RUSA for approval but are not yet official RUSA events.

Want to see another event added to the list? Do you have a route Brevet worthy? Want an all-dirt or no-dirt event? Would you like to see a pancake flat ride out to the cape or a quad busting march through Northern CT added to the list? Don’t just talk about it — organize it! We are always looking for more volunteers and events so please contact RBA Bruce Ingle or Volunteer Coordinator Emily O’Brien if you would like to run an event in 2013.

All 2012 events have the results posted in the event info pages. Over the winter we’ll consolidate the results and add them to the historical results page. 2013 registration will begin in early April.

Thanks again to all the riders, volunteers, and friends who made the 2012 season a success. We’re looking forward to seeing you all again next year.

We had a great weekend in Vermont for the Green Mountain 400k. The temps climbed to be a bit uncomfortable into the nineties mid-day – but riders worked through the heat and the climbs in their lap around Vermont.

I’ll post results and submit to RUSA as soon as I catch up on some sleep. Lots of images over at Flickr.

12 started
9 finished

The first group of 4 riders completed the course in a blistering 16h51m, just as the fireworks in Waterbury, VT hit their finale. They dodged street vendors and grandma and grandpa with their folding chairs over the last mile of the route.

John and Dave came in relatively close to one another at about 22h, unknowingly riding alone about 20-30 minutes apart for most of the night. John spent some quality time at a construction site, sleeping in some yet to be installed drain culvert pipe.

Our last group of 3 pulled in to wake me from my car seat slumber in 24h02m at 5am. The most experienced (this was his 7th 400k!) of the group vomited consistently for the last 30 miles or so, not able to keep any food or water down. His companions kept a close eye on him and got him to the end, as the sun came up for another beautiful day.

Quite a few trials and tribulations were to be had. The heat and the climbing caught a few folks off guard, and I think both contributed to our DNFs. I rescued 2 of the DNFs – the first I happened upon while I was driving back to the start along the course. After some V8 and a long sit down the diesel engine who pulled the lead group 3/4 way around the course opted to get into the car. Cramps and heat had finally made riding difficult. The second DNF got into a bad place with cramps and couldn’t stand up to pedal nearing Ludlow, VT at mile 174. He called as I started setting up the finish control and checked into a hotel to rest. Sunday morning he didnt feel he could ride – so after some web searching for car service or a bus I looped out after I had a (very short) nap to bring him home. The final DNF had assistance from a partner overnight.

Some Thanks:
Thanks to Lane Giardina from the DC Randonneurs who happened to be in VT and offered to volunteer at the start.
Thanks to NERds rider Cris Concepcion who was up from Boston enjoying the weekend for keeping me company at the finish.
Huge thanks to Jim and Diny and the West Hill Shop in Putney, VT for their hospitality, cold shower, and shade trees.
Thanks to Green Mountain Bikes in Rochester, VT for allowing me to stash supplies in their courtyard for overnight re-supply of our early morning finishers.

And thanks to the 12 who started. You all have my admiration for how steady you were on course. It was an amazing day out, and while I know a few of you cursed me heading up South St. and again over East-West Rd., I do know that you also enjoyed the scenery, the ripping and sometimes twisting descents, and the gummy bears and pickles.